Edith Puski

Edith Puski, 91, passed away in East Providence, RI, under the loving care of her daughter, Suzette. Born on June 28, 1934, in Hungary she was a devoted wife to her late husband Gabe and a loving mother to Art, Suzette, and Rich.
Edith was one of the most versatile people around. She did not dwell on the past but always moved forward. She learned to knit at a young age when she was moved around between temporary foster families in the countryside with her little brother. This was during WWII when Hungary was being heavily bombed by the Soviets. She always helped with chores on the farms but still wanted to leave a thank you gifts. She continued knitting throughout her life often making gifts and donating items to area hospitals for premature babies and cancer patients.
Edith got Tuberculosis as a young adult following the birth of her first child. She still kept up with fashion rolling up the legs of her pajama pants because pedal pushers were in style. No one would ever guess her lungs were compromised as she was an avid tennis player into her early 80s. Her love of fashion also continued throughout her life. While she couldn't afford to buy a lot of clothing when she was younger, she became an adept sewer keeping up with trends using sewing patterns from Vogue and other design houses.
Edith became a refugee after World War II in 1956, escaping by train wearing multiple layers of clothes and carrying a suit case. The train made a stop in a field at the Austrian boarder where refugees were greeted by American Red Cross. Edith relocated to Toronto with her oldest son and she continued to support American Red Cross throughout her life.
Edith met Gabe in Toronto. After they got married they honeymooned at Niagara Falls. While Gabe was a doctorate student at the University of Massachusetts, Edith worked and managed the budget. She always found ways to save money including learning to type Gabe's and his friends' school papers.
Edith was an avid cook making traditional Hungarian meals and pastries but also always trying something new. She belonged to a cooking club and volunteered at a soup kitchen. When she thought folks deserved tastier dishes at the soup kitchen she studied and passed the food safety test that allowed her to manage the soup kitchen and make up the menu every month.
Edith loved nature and gardening. She became a master gardener and the family budget always included camping in the woods. Her focus was to provide experiences to her family over material goods. Vacations always included learning about history, seeing art and hiking.
Edith always prepared for the worst, but she was also always prepared to move on. She always stepped in to help when needed which included taking care of her husband when he was diagnosed with Parkinsons.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on January 12 at 12 pm at Swan Point Cemetery. The service will be captured on video and shared afterwards with friends and family who could not attend.
We find comfort in knowing that Edith's legacy lives on through the examples she provided, the love she shared, and the memories we will cherish forever. In place of flowers we are requesting donations be dedicated in Edith Puski's memory to American Red Cross at https://www.redcross.org.